Oh no! Not another cholesterol.

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine; BBC Health

Yes, that’s right.  Scientists have now found another “bad” cholesterol which contributes to the development of heart disease.  (Somebody please, stop them!)  We already know of LDL, the other “bad” cholesterol which is not to be confused with HDL, the “good” cholesterol.  The latest to join the party is Lp(a) or Lipoprotein(a) (Making the ska band, Bad Manners’ song “lip up fatty” even funnier than before, but I digress).

Unlike the dreaded LDL, Lp(a) is not controlled through statins (drugs) or a heart healthy diet. However, the good is that Lp(a) does not appear to contribute “as much” to the development of atherosclerosis. How much is “not as much”?  Well that’s really a different subject entirely isn’t it?  Suffice it to say that researchers, some of whom are at Oxford University, are working on that bit, as well as finding medications which might effectively control Lp(a).

And as we all know by know, everyone’s risk of heart disease might be reduced if they eat a healthy diet, remain physically active and avoid smoking. To the rest of you, good luck.

~Posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire.